Preschool kids raises funds for Make-A-Wish children amid economic strife
BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — A local preschool is helping grant the wishes of critically ill children this month. The Learning Experience, a preschool and daycare, raised more than $11,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation over the school year.
The funds are extra important this year. Make-A-Wish of Central and South Texas reports that the cost for granting wishes, which involves providing gifts and trips for critically ill children, have nearly tripled in recent years.
“We certainly have seen the average cost of our wish rising. So we’re now over $10,000 in our average costs,” said Emily Franke, Chief Development Officer with Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas.
Donations have dropped off as well. Franke said new donors in the Austin-area have helped fill the gap locally. “Everyone is so passionate about ensuring that the people in our community are supported. And so we’re seeing that the troops are rallying.”
Enter: three and four year old kids.
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Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience) -
Students with The Learning Experience in Buda. (Credit: The Learning Experience)
The Learning Experience has raised money for Make-A-Wish for years. The Buda location, Franke said, is one of the top earners.
This year, the school stretched the fundraising period out over the year. Gift baskets, raffles and bake sales helped raise the funds. The goal was to provide for two wishes, each estimated at about $5,000. The school is one of two in the network with this goal.
“It’s amazing to see kids giving back and helping other kids,” Franke said.
The kid’s teacher, Mimmy Lapar, said that they’re using the fundraiser not just to help out Make-A-Wish, but to teach children about giving and sharing.
“They understand that sometimes it’s people in need or in sickness, even if they don’t fully grasp the whole thing, they can definitely tell you that,” Lapar said.
Make-A-Wish hopes to help 200 children in Central and South Texas this year. Around 400 children in the area are on the waiting list.
You can donate to The Learning Experience’s fundraiser here or directly to Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas here.
